Tips on choosing plants for winter interest

Don't get caught out by good retailers this winter, who will be
selling you plants in full flower! Before you hand over your money
have a think about the following:

See what you already have! Think shapes
and seed-heads. A garden will only look good in winter if
it's a combination of good looking woody skeletons (with a few
evergreens if you want but not essential), seed heads - don't cut
down perennials until March and then splashes of colour provided by
barks, berries and flowers. What do you need to add?

What conditions have you got? Make sure any
plants you choose will grow in your garden. If the plant
wants well drained soils in the sun, can you provide that? If
not choose something else.

How much space have you got for any new
plants? Check before you buy how big they are going
to get (pruning is not the answer in most cases unless it's a hedge
or topiary). If you are short on space think bulbs! to look at
things that don't take up a lot of space and disappear for most of
the year - bulbs! Snowdrops, crocuses, winter aconites are
classics for a reason.

What does the plant look like when it's not in
flower? Growing some plants just for their flowers is fine
regardless of how underwhelming they are for the rest of the year
but the bulk of your plants should provide good shapes as
well. It's worthwhile trying to choose plants that have
interest spread over a few seasons especially if they are going to
take up a lot of space.

For example, winter box (Sarcococca confusea) has the most
wonderful scented flowers in January but the plant itself is a dull
looking evergreen messy blob. If you have space to plant it
somewhere it won't get noticed great. Otherwise it would be
better to consider multi seasonal plants - many witch hazels have
good autumn colour, an attractive winter shape and fabulous
flowers).